Tag: advantages of a metal roof

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Metal Roofing

Installing Metal Shingles: What You Need to Know

Choosing the right roofing material can be a challenge, but knowing that metal shingles provide you with durability, longevity, energy efficiency, aesthetics, and low maintenance makes your decision-making easy. Made from metals like steel and copper, these shingles mimic traditional shingles, while providing greater performance and a longer lifespan. Learn what you can expect when installing metal shingles. 

If you are replacing your roof, you may find that the number of available options can be overwhelming. Although you may be concerned with durability, maintenance, appearance, and energy efficiency, you may be unaware of which materials will meet these needs. Choose the wrong one and it could end up costing you more in the future. 

So, what do you do? Opt for metal shingles to get long-lasting, visually appealing overhead protection for your residential or commercial structure. They provide everything you are looking for in a roof.

Ready to learn more? This article explores what you need to know about installing metal shingles. 

 

What Are Metal Shingles? 

Metal shingles are just what they sound like—traditional shingles made of metal. They are designed to resemble asphalt shingles, tile, wood shakes, and slate. But, because they are made of metals, such as aluminium, steel, zinc, or copper, they provide all the benefits of a metal roof. What’s more, the metal often has a protective coating resistant to rust, corrosion, and fading. 

Metal roofing has grown in popularity due to its ability to provide significant protection. But if you don’t fancy the look of a standing seam metal roof, you can still benefit from installing metal shingles on your roof. They are even easier to install and provide a more attractive appearance. 

 

The Value of Metal Shingles

With so many types of roofing available, what makes metal shingles so special? Let’s take a look at the value they bring to your home or commercial space—and we aren’t just talking about its increased property value. 

Long Lifespan

Metal shingles can last, on average, between 40 and 70 years, which is much longer than the 15 to 30 years you get with asphalt shingles.

Energy Efficiency

Reflective coatings help to reduce heat absorption and maintain stable indoor temperatures. In turn, this can reduce energy costs throughout the year. 

Low Maintenance

Metal shingles are highly resistant to cracking, warping, and mildew. They also require very little maintenance. There isn’t much for you to do.

Appearance Options

There are many different colors, finishes, and textures to choose from, so you can easily find the perfect fit. 

Things to Consider Before Installation

There are a few things you may want to consider before moving forward with the installation of your metal shingles, including:

Cost

Don’t be surprised to find out that the initial cost of metal shingles is higher than traditional roofing materials. After all, they provide a greater level of protection for a longer period. Further, they require very little maintenance and will reduce your energy costs. When you look at the bigger picture, the initial cost no longer seems so high. 

Complexity 

It may be tempting to do things yourself to save money, but metal shingles are not a DIY project. Proper installation requires the right underlayment, precision, and a great amount of expertise. Hiring a reputable roofing company is essential. 

Noise Level

Remember the old tin roofs that used to be noisy and disruptive when it rained? Today’s roofs are different, and noise is no longer an issue. 

Climate

Metal shingles work well in most climates, but consulting with a professional roofer is always a good idea. They can advise whether or not it is the ideal fit for your region or if a specific type of metal should be used. If longevity matters, then it is necessary to take climate into consideration. 

What To Expect When Installing Metal Shingles

Understanding the installation process can help you to be more informed when you speak to your roofing contractor. You will know a little more about what is involved from start to finish. Here’s your overview. 

Inspection and Planning

Before any work can begin, your roofers will inspect your existing structure to ensure that it will be able to support the extra weight of the new material. They will determine whether your current roof material should be removed or the metal shingles should be installed over it.  

Note that if there are any areas that are damaged or weak, they will need to be repaired before the new installation begins. 

Underlayment, Starter Strip, and Edge Flashing

Next, the underlayment is laid down, providing a barrier against moisture while increasing thermal efficiency. This is made of high-quality material that is synthetic and waterproof, so that it yields the greatest results. 

A starter strip is placed along the eaves while edge flashing is used to protect the roof’s perimeter from water intrusion. 

Laying the Shingles

Once the groundwork is set, it is time to lay the shingles. This is done row by row, beginning at the edge of the roof and working upwards. Each shingle attaches to the one next to it, creating a barrier. 

Ridge Caps and Venting

The last step involved in installing metal shingles is placing ridge caps at the peak of the roof to make sure that the roof is completely covered without any chance for leaks. Appropriate venting must also be provided to help maintain attic flow. Consider these to be the finishing touches. 

Metal Shingles from Piedmont Roofing

If you are considering an upgrade to your roof that is built to last, enhances the aesthetics of your property, and can help you save on energy, then you need metal shingles installed by experts who will do a premium job for you. 

Piedmont Roofing specializes in high-quality metal roofing solutions that are tailored to meet your needs. Decades of experience installing roofs on commercial and residential property mean you can count on peace of mind before, during, and after the installation. 

Don’t put off your new roof too long, or you may find yourself dealing with costly leaks and repairs. Contact Piedmont Roofing today for a free consultation. 

Conclusion

Are you ready to boost your property value while enhancing its curb appeal? Installing metal shingles is a great investment that is durable, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance. It can also provide you with the perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality. Just be sure to have your new roof installed by a professional roofer, like Piedmont Roofing. 

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Metal Roofing Residential Roofing

Metal Roof Home Untouched By Maui Wildfire: Here’s Why

By now you’ll be aware of the Maui wildfires that have ravaged the landscape there, fully incinerating hundreds of homes and currently leaving 115 people dead, with the number expected to rise. 

With so much devastation, there is one home that has seemingly avoided the fires entirely. In aerial pictures of the aftermath of the fires, you can see one white house with a bright red roof seemingly untouched by flames. 

This house belongs to Dora Atwater Millikin, a landscape artist, and her husband Dudley Long Millikin II, a retired portfolio manager. They bought the house just three years ago and avoided the fires themselves because they were in Massachusetts at the time, visiting family. 

So how did their house avoid the wildfires when so many other homes went up in flames? Here’s what most likely preserved it. 

Metal Roofing And Fire Resistance

The biggest reason the Millikins’ house avoided burning is because they had recently replaced the asphalt shingle roof on the house with a metal one. Why is this important? Because on most homes, the roof is where a fire will start during wildfires. 

That’s because your roof has the biggest surface area for embers and burning debris to land on. It’s very easy for burning leaves or even branches from a nearby tree to land on the roof and cause a fire. Depending on the materials used in your roof, it can go up in flames very quickly. 

With a metal roof though, that isn’t going to happen. As metal isn’t flammable, if burning debris lands there then it will simply burn out there without causing damage to the house itself. This is what’s credited towards saving the house. 

Fire Resistance Ratings

If you’re thinking about replacing your roof and living in an area that’s at risk of wildfires, then you’ll want to consider getting a metal roof over other options, such as asphalt shingles or shakes. Want to know what roof option is the most resistant to fire? You can check their fire resistance ratings. 

These ratings are designed to help you see how much any roofing material can resist a fire before catching fire itself. Metal roofs are one of the options that have the highest Class A ratings, meaning that they’re impervious to fire. Because of this, they’re an option that you should very seriously consider. 

Want a closer look at the ratings and what they mean? You can take a look at the NFPA’s page on fire ratings, and what’s taken into consideration when rating a roofing material.

 

 

Trees And Fire Resistance

As well as the metal roof, the Millikins’ home managed to avoid fire due to the landscaping choices that they had also recently made. They had removed a lot of trees and other greenery from the perimeter of their home, as the 100 year old wooden home was at risk of termites. By removing the foliage, they had aimed to reduce their entry into the home. 

By doing this, they had also incidentally protected their home from fire. When you look at advice for avoiding wildfire damage to your home, it is often suggested to remove foliage so there’s less fuel for wildfires around your home. As well as getting a metal roof, it’s a very good idea to mimic this on your own property. 

There are some other good reasons to remove trees around the home, too. If the trees are very close to your roof, it’s much easier for debris to make its way onto it. In the best case scenario, it will cause moss and algae to build up, or get into your gutters and clog them. They also allow a really good route for pests to make their way into your roof. At worst, if there’s a wildfire it’s so easy for burning leaves or branches to land on your roof. 

Clearing those trees away will help a lot in protecting your home in case of wildfire, so you’ll want to keep this in mind. 

Benefits Of Metal Roofs

While a real benefit of metal roods is their fire resistance, there are lots of other reasons why you should consider them too. Here are a few top reasons to get a metal roof.

Longevity: When it comes to roofs, metal roofs are some of the longest lasting out there right now. When you take good care of a metal roof, it will last for up to 70 years. Compare that to asphalt shingle roofs, which typically last up to 30 years with good care. That makes them work considering.

Ease of maintenance: With any roof, you’ll need to keep up inspections and maintenance on it. Metal roofs are known to be easier to care for, as they are installed in large sheets rather than individual tiles or shingles. There’s less space for water and any other issues to start making their way in, making them easier to care for. 

Quick to install: It’s always recommended that you have professional roofers install your roof, for several reasons. They’ll be able to do it safely and in an expert manner. When you have them do it, you’ll also see that they can install them quickly, too. That’s thanks to the large sheets mentioned above, as they really speed up the process. 

Environmentally friendly: You’ll be surprised to know that a metal roof is made up of around 25% to 95% recycled material, making it highly environmentally friendly. Plus, once they reach the end of their lifespan, they can be removed and recycled again, rather than being put into a landfill. That’s great news for those trying to be more eco-friendly when planning home renovations. 

Conclusion

As you can see, the metal roof on the Millikins’ home may just have been the reason it avoided the wildfires. With nothing flammable on the roof, any burning debris couldn’t cause any damage. If you live in an area at risk of wildfires, you should consider having a metal roof installed yourself.

And if you live in Virginia areas such as Warren, Middleburg, Winchester, or Leesburg, contact Piedmont Roofing. We’ll be happy to help you with your metal roofing needs!

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Metal Roofing Blog

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Metal Roofing Systems

There are plenty of options for roofing materials these days. Every homeowner has a choice to make when it comes to building a new roof or replacing an existing one. While you may have only ever had asphalt roofing (it is, after all, the most popular roofing material in the U.S.) there are several reasons you should consider metal roofing systems instead. There are still many questions about metal roofing systems, and we’ll go over them below.

Benefits of Metal Roofing Systems

1: It Offers Plenty of Style

If the thought of “metal roofing” conjures images of an industrial building, you should know that today’s metal roofing systems are actually nothing like the industrial designs of old. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles that will match any home. They can even be designed to mimic the appearance of other roofing materials such as tile. Even standing seam metal roofs provide a classic architectural appearance for any dwelling.

2: It Is Eco-Friendly

U.S. households dispose of an estimated 11 million tons of asphalt shingles every year, and the vast majority end up in landfills, which is bad for the environment. Metal roofing systems, on the other hand, are 100 percent recyclable. Even when your roof reaches the end of its useful life you can repurpose the materials for something else. In addition, metal is lightweight and uses less fuel in transit to your home. It is extremely energy efficient so it can lower your monthly air conditioning bills. It does this by reflecting heat away from the house. This helps with maintaining more constant temperatures indoors during both hot and cold months.

3: It Offers Great Long-Term Value

While metal roofing systems might cost more up front than asphalt shingles, its long lifespan and energy savings can actually save you money in the long run. Metal roofing often lasts about two to three times longer than other materials so you won’t have the roofing cost of replacement as often, and besides regular inspections, it requires very little maintenance over the course of its life.

When it comes time to replace your roof, consider all the advantages that metal roofing systems can offer over other alternatives. Talk to a roofing contractor today about how a metal roof can benefit the planet and your wallet.

Categories
Residential Roofing Blog

3 Ways Metal Roofing Prices Can Actually Save You Money

As a homeowner you want a roof that will last, but you also want a roof that can save you some money along the way. There are so many options to choose from these days, and metal roofing has surged in popularity in recent years because it provides both beauty and eco-friendly energy efficiency. Many people think that metal roofing prices are too expensive compared to other materials. What they don’t understand is that metal roofs save money in the long run, and in different areas. Here are three ways metal roofing prices can actually save you money long-term.

Reflects Solar Heat

With solar energy you get both light and heat—heat that is quickly absorbed by dark-colored roof shingles. People who live in hot climates already know that wearing lighter colors can keep you cool in the summer better than dark colors. A roof is no different. While traditional dark asphalt roofing can get as hot as 180 degrees or more on a summer day, metal roofing in lighter colors reflects that heat, reducing cooling costs as much as 40 percent. It also has environmental benefits. Cool roofs help reduce surface temperatures in your community, mitigating the “heat island effect” in populated areas.

Reduces Energy Loss

Air that escapes through your attic might not seem like a big deal. However, it can cost you a lot in the long run. A more energy efficient metal roof helps to keep warm or cold air from getting out through the attic. In the end, this reduces your energy bills and keeps your home at a more steady temperature.

Longevity

The average metal roof can last as long as 50 years or more with proper maintenance. This means you will not be replacing your roof as often (if you ever have to replace it again). Because of this, metal roofing prices practically pay themselves off in maintenance and replacement costs. Not only will this save you money, it also helps reduce landfill waste. A metal roof can be recycled at the end of its useful life so it promotes sustainability.

A metal roof has many benefits, including cost savings, energy efficiency, reduced transportation costs, light weight to fit on any home, and the ability to recycle it when it is done. With all these benefits it is hard to see why anyone would choose another roofing material, even with the initial metal roofing prices.

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